New Delhi: Observing that prescribed norms for billing and issue of receipts for payments made by subscribers are not being complied with by Multi System Operators, broadcasting sector regulator TRAI has incorporated provisions to levy financial disincentives on such entities.
In a statement, TRAI said that such non-compliance has resulted in numerous legitimate consumer grievances.
"In the absence of a bill, a subscriber cannot ascertain whether the amount demanded by the MSO for the cable TV services is correct or not. Similarly, in the absence of a receipt for the payment made, there is no means to get a grievance redressed in case of any billing related dispute with the operators," the statement said.
"For consumers, such bills and receipts are essential, when it is available to consumers in other commercial markets, why not in the cable TV market?" it said.
It further said that because of the non-delivery of such bills and receipts by MSOs, information of actual subscription vis-a-vis billing and payment details are not being entered into the Subscriber Management System (SMS) and consequently, commercial deals and financial transactions among operators lack transparency.
It is "adversely affecting smooth implementation of Digital Addressable System (DAS)" as mandated by law, the statement said.
Further, in absence of proper billing and accounting of receipts, there is a very real possibility of a loss of revenues accruable to the government, it added.
TRAI has notified an amendment to the existing QoS (Quality of Service) Regulations for DAS by incorporating provisions for levy of financial disincentives on MSOs who are not complying with provisions regarding billing and issue of receipts for payment made by subscribers, the statement said.
"A provision for financial disincentive for an amount not exceeding Rs 20 per subscriber has been made in the amended Regulations," it added.
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